major in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a course of study that a college or university student has chosen to specialize in. For example, "I'm majoring in English Literature at university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's what you major in".

The New York Times

What do you plan to major in?

The New York Times

Now you can major in it.

The New York Times

He became a major in the Army.

The New York Times

I wanted to major in theater.

The New York Times

Major in that.

The New York Times - Arts

"I was an English major in college.

The New York Times - Books

She plans to major in physical education.

The New York Times

A jock planning to major in business.

The New York Times - Arts

She was a chemistry major in college.

The New York Times

Serena last won a major in 1999.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic paths, use "major in" to clearly indicate the primary field of study a student is pursuing at a tertiary institution.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "major". The correct form is "major in" followed by the field of study, not "major at" or "major on".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "major in" is a verb phrase indicating the action of focusing one's studies on a specific academic discipline. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The examples showcase its use in various contexts, describing choices of study at tertiary institutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major in" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase to describe the act of specializing in a particular field of study at a college or university. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various registers. While most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, its application extends to Wiki, Business and even academic environments. Remember to follow best practices by consistently using the preposition "in" and to avoid common errors such as using "at" instead. With its clear and direct meaning, mastering the use of "major in" will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specialize in

Focuses on the act of specializing, similar to choosing a major.

concentrate on

Implies a focus of effort and study, akin to majoring in a subject.

focus one's studies on

More formal way of expressing concentration in a field.

pursue a degree in

Highlights the degree being sought in a specific area.

study

A general verb that can imply the act of majoring depending on context.

take a major in

Highlights the action of taking a specific major.

be a student of

Describes someone being a student in a specific field.

read

Mainly used in British English, denotes studying a subject.

be an expert in

Focuses on expertise gained through majoring and studying.

devote oneself to the study of

Emphasizes dedication to studying a particular subject.

FAQs

How to use "major in" in a sentence?

Use "major in" to describe the main subject of study at a college or university. For example, "She plans to "major in biology"".

What can I say instead of "major in"?

You can use alternatives like "specialize in", "concentrate on", or "pursue a degree in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "major in" or "major at"?

"Major in" is the correct prepositional phrase to use when describing a field of study. "Major at" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "major" and "major in"?

"Major" refers to the field of study itself, while "major in" is a verb phrase describing the act of studying that field. For example, "Biology is her major" versus "She will "major in biology"".